Graft accused agriculture official to be tried in October
Former North West agriculture department director Jessica Rakoma is set to be tried in October for allegedly taking a bribe in exchange for a tender.The 36-year-old former supply chain director faces one count of fraud and one of corruption for allegedly soliciting a R150‚000 bribe from a service provider.She was arrested in a sting involving the Hawks and the service provider in March 2011, near Buffalo lodge in Mahikeng. Rakoma was caught on camera driving off with a briefcase containing R150‚000, and was arrested.According to court papers, she allegedly told a well-known Mahikeng businessman that she had motivated that he get a R6m security tender.The case was postponed when her legal representative withdrew because she could no longer pay. On Monday she applied for a legal aid representative.Mmabatho Regional Court magistrate Abigail Juris asked the state and the legal aid board representative to ensure the case was timeously finalised, pointing out that it had already dragged o...
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